# NTSB GAA19CA309: Taylorcraft BC12, N44249, Sedona, AZ, June 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2019, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.848609, -111.78833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8486&lon=-111.7883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99541/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99541 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA309 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8850320), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the tail started to rise. The pilot corrected by pulling the yoke "fully back," but subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 21. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the tail started to rise. The pilot corrected by pulling the yoke "fully back", but, subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 30 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 160° at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots and variable from 130° to 200°. The airplane was landing on runway 21. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44249](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44249), registered now, S/N 10049, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12 (D) - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D1](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d1) (registry code 8850320) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10049 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1619.7 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 2018 - Departed: A39, Maricopa, AZ - Destination: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 21, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 690 total, 73 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KSEZ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190602005859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190602005859A), Jun 2, 2019: Taylorcraft BC12-D1, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was PIC of N44249. Landed at ksez on runway 03. Airplane ended upside down on the runway after landing. Pilot did not sustain any… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99541. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.